Split loyalties as PGA Cup aces battle for County honours

A trio of Great Britain and Ireland PGA Cup players will put national glory to one side as they prepare to go head-to-head for local pride in the SkyCaddie PGA England & Wales Inter-County Championship.

The event, the newest on the PGA national tournament schedule, will feature Hampshire’s Jonathan Barnes (Ampfield), Kent’s Benn Barham (Kings Hill) and Surrey’s David Callaway (Milford, pictured) lining up in their county’s three-man squad for the south qualifier at Windlesham Golf Club, Surrey.

County honours come first ahead of all three joining forces as part of the 10-man 2013 GB&I PGA Cup that will take on their United States counterparts at Slaley Hall next month.

But before then, they will have battles closer to home as a total of five teams representing counties across the south compete over 36-holes on Friday August 23, with the winning county securing its place in the £10,000 two-day final at The Belfry in October.

The format sees the best two scores from three in each of the two rounds counting towards the final score.

Callaway, runner-up at this year’s Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship, will be joined by Craig Cowper (Horton Park) and Michael Lowe (Leatherhead) in what looks a very strong team.

“I’m really looking forward to it as it’s not very often we get to play team golf and especially for your county,” said Callaway.

“I played a lot of team golf when I was as at University in the United States and it’s a similar format as out there it was the best four from five scores.

“Looking at our team, Craig and Michael are great players and it’s great that we get the chance to play for Surrey as there is definitely a little bit of rivalry among all the players.

“We’ve just had an Order of Merit event in Kent and there’s been a little bit of banter ahead of this, especially with my PGA Cup team mates Benn and Jonathan being in opposition for Kent and Hampshire.

“It’s a busy month of team golf for us and I am sure the experience of this will also do us good for the challenges ahead.”

Two-time PGA Assistants’ Championship winner Guy Woodman (East Berks) will compete for Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire along with Lewis Atkinson (Pass 4 Golf) and David Stanton (The Lambourne Club).

Sussex will be represented by Jason Partridge (Piltdown), Paul Nessling (Cooden Beach) and Dan Croucher (East Brighton).

SkyCaddie director of international business operations Jacqui Surman said:

“SkyCaddie is pleased to be sponsoring the PGA England & Wales Inter-County Championship. We believe in the PGA Professional and all that they stand for in golf.

“It is important that we support them at local county level and help enhance the work they do in their local area. We look forward to giving the events and each county our support in 2013.”

PGA chief executive Sandy Jones welcomed the new addition to the PGA national tournament schedule, commenting: “This is an exciting new opportunity embracing the counties and with plenty of regional pride at stake I’m sure it will be a keenly contested tournament.”